Fuel supply device for locomotives



y 1962 I c. LISCIAN] 3,032,079

FUEL SUPPLY DEVICE FOR LOCOMOTIVES Filed Oct. 25, 1958 Patented May 1, 1962 lice 3,032,079 FUEL SUPPLY DEVHtJE FUR LOCGMGTIVES Constantine Lisciani, Chicago, llL, assignor to The Protectoseal Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 23, 1958, Ser. No. 769,231 2 Claims. (Cl. 14l95) The invention relates generally to liquid supply devices, and more particularly to a device for automatically controlling the flow of liquid, as for example, into a tank or the like.

The invention is particularly directed to fluid supply systems involving high flow rates in the discharge line. Tanks such as those used on diesel locomotives and the like are often filled under manual control from high velocity discharge supply lines in an effort to cut down the filling time involved. For example, high speed passenger trains having very close schedules endeavor to cut lost time due to stops, refuelings, etc., to a minimum, and consequently eflorts are made to reduce refueling time to the bare essential. This in turn has necessitated refueling from supply lines having highly accelerated dis charge rates in an eflort to cut down on the time required to fill the fuel tanks. Many of these discharge lines have utilized automatic cut-oil devices of the type used on gasoline pumps and the like, whereby a valve member is tripped when the liquid level reaches the lower end of the supply line spout. However, in the case of high velocity discharge, the tank will overflow before the automatic structure can fully shut off the flow of fuel. Another possible solution would be to aflix the supply line to the tank in a fluid tight relation and shut the supply off when the tank overflows through a suitable overflow fitting. Again in the case of high velocity flow, a considerable amount of fuel would be lost due to the high flow which would take place from the time the overflow commenced and was ascertained by the operator to the time required to effect a stoppage of the fuel flow. Likewise, in such case, upon disconnection of the supply fitting from the tank, an additional overflow would be lost through the filler opening.

The present invention therefore has among its objects the production of an automatic flow control device for fuel supply lines and the like involving high discharge liquid velocities which is so designed that the liquid flow will be stopped before the tank has reached an overflow state, thereby completely eliminating overflow waste and the like, as well as removing a potential fire hazard as a result of spilled fuel.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a liquid control structure which does not require extensive alteration of existing tank structure and the like, so that existing tanks may be readily modified to permit use of the present invention therewith.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a control structure which is comparatively simple in construction, fool-proof in operation and very efiicient for the purposes intended.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a control device which may be readily designed as a portable unit, enabling its use over a predetermined area, so that in the case of locomotive fuel tanks it may be moved from one track to another within a desired range.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a control structure embodying the present invention, illustrating its application to a supply tank such as utilized on diesel locomotives and the like; and

FIG. 2 is a semi-diagrammatic figure of the electrical circuit and actuating structure.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a control device which may be provided with means for eliminating leakage or spillage from the tank connecting fittings when the device is not in use.

The present invention contemplates the use of a control structure winch is adapted to be actuated by the liquid in the tank being filled when the level of the liquid reaches a predetermined height, which is so selected that the control mechanism will be actuated to shut off the supply of liquid before the tank has overflowed. Thus the only modification of existing tanks would be to form a suitable discharge opening in the side of the tank which of course could be readily accomplished by means of a drilling operation, following which a suitable petcock fitting could be threaded into the tank side wall.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally a control device constructed in accordance with the invention, and operatively connected to a tank 2 which, for example, may be a fuel tank on a diesel locomotive or the like, and having a filler pipe 3 terminating at its free end in a filler opening 4 which usually is at the bottom of a well member 5 mounted on the side wall 6 of the locomotive.

Positioned in the filler pipe 3 is a suitable connector fitting indicated generally by the numeral 7, having a fire screen 8 and terminating at its outer end in a fitting 9 adapted to dctachably receive a cooperable connector fitting 11, such as disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 375,508, filed August 20, 1953, now United States Patent 2,994,352 granted September 15, 1959, carried on a supply hose or conduit 12. The connector fittings 9 and 11 may, for example, be of the quick change type requiring merely a partial interlocking movement therebetween to connect the two in operating relation.

The control device 1 comprises a supporting stand or structure 13 illustrated as having a top or upper frame structure 14, four legs 15, only two of which appear in the drawing, the leg structures being re-enforced by lower laterally extending brace members 16. The lower end of the legs 15 may be provided with suitable casters or wheels 17 by means of which the device may be moved about. Suitably carried by the frame structure 13, as for example on a cross member 18 extending between oppositely disposed brace members 16, is a valve indicated by the numeral 19, which is illustrated as being of a manual reset electrically tripped type which in the present instance is adapted to be actuated to an open posititon by manual operation and closed upon the energization of a suitable solenoid, the number 21 indicating the manual actuatable handle of the valve 19.

The inlet side of the valve member 19 is adapted to be operatively connected by a line 22 to a fluid supply, while the outlet side of the valve is operatively connected to the line 12 which is illustrated as being of a flexible construction to permit ready connection with the filler fitting on the tank to be filled.

Also mounted on the supporting structure 13 is a switch mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 25, having a float chamber 23 in which is positioned a float 24 and operable, upon the rise of the liquid in the float chamber, to actuate a switch 25. The details of the particular switch mechanism forms no part of the present invention and any one of a number of commercially procurable devices may be utilized. For example, the particular mechanism illustrated is of a type known as a magnetrol utilizing a magnetic connection eliminates any direct mechanical or electrical linkages between the float chamberv and the switch mechanism.

The float chamber 23 is adapted to be operatively connected with the tank 2 by a suitable fitting indicated generally by the numeral 26 illustrated as being a petcock having an actuating handle 27 and adapted to be detachably connected to a small conduit or line 28 operatively connected through a T 29 and nipple 31 to the float chamber 23. To permit drainage of the float chamber 23 a petcock 32, is operatively connected to the T 29 and extending downwardly from the petcock 32 is piping 33 having an outlet opening 34 adapted to discharge into adrain, fitting 35, the latter in turn being connected to a drain pipe 36 through which liquid may return to the supply tank from which it was originally drawn through the supply pipe 22. Also connected to the piping 33 is an overflow pipe 34a connected to the switch mechanism 25 at the top of the float chamber 23 to permit overflow into the drain fitting in the event the float chamber becomes completely filled with liquid. The drain pipe 36 is also provided with a terminal fitting 37 into which the coupling or connector member 11 may be inserted so that any drainage from the conduit 12 may flow back into the storage tank.

Referring to FIG. 2, the valve 19 is provided with an actuating winding 38 which when energized is operable to close the valve 19 and shut oh the flow of liquid from the supply line'22 into the discharge line 12.

The winding 38 is operatively connected in series with an indicating lamp 39 and switch 25' to a suitable power line 41 so that when the switch 25 is closed the. winding 38 of the valve 12 is energized and the valve is closed, the lamp 39 indicating at such time that the tank is full and the valve has been shut off.

To enable use of the present invention on existing locomotive structures and tanks therefor, it is only necessary to drill asmall hole 42 in anybody structure of the locomotive and drill and tap a hole 43 into the side wall of the tank 2 to receive a fitting such as the petcock 26 which is then screwed into the hole 43 where it may form a permanent part of the tank structure.

In use the stand 1 is wheeled up to the locomotive Suficiently close to enable the line 12 and overflow line 28 to be connected to the filler opening 3 and the petcock 2.6, respectively. As, the fluid such as oil in the supply line 22 is under pressure, the operator, following connection of the line, merely actuates the handle 21 to manually open the valve and start the flow of liquid into the tank. At the same time the operator opens the petcock 26 by means of the handle 27 so that when the level of oil reaches the petcock 26, oil will flow through the line 23 and piping 31 into the float chamber and when the oil level in the float chamber has reached a predetermined height, the switch 25' will be actuated to energize the winding 38, shutting the valve 19 and lighting the lamp 39, indicating that the tank is filled and that the valve has been shut olf. The petcock 26 is installed at such a height with respect to the overall height of the tank that the time required for oil to flow through the petcock into the float chamber 23 and actuate the switch 25' will be less than the time to fill the tank 2 to overflow, the specific relation being predetermined to insure filling of the tank to the desired height. In the event oil should fill the float chamber 23 to overflowing, the excess may return to the supply tank through the line 34, drain 3S and drain pipe 36.

I Following filling of the tank, the fitting 11 is connected from the fitting 9 and the line 23 disconnected from the petcock 26, the latter being again closed by the petcock handle 27. Following disconnection of the line 12 the fitting 11 is then inserted into the cooperable fitting 37 on the drain pipe 36 so that any excess oil may return to the supply tank and in like manner the line 28 may be operatively connected to the fitting 35 as indicated in dotted lines to permit any oil therein to drain into the pipe 36. The liquid in the. float chamber 23 may be 4. drained therefrom by opening the etcock 32 to permit the liquid to flow into the drain member 35 and into the drain pipe 36.

Under normal conditions of operation and use it would appear desirable to utilize a fitting for the connection of the line 2% to the tank 2 that is of the quick detachable type, with the fitting permanently attached to the tank being self-closing upon disconnection of the cooperable fitting on the line 23, and automatically opened upon engagement between the fittings, thereby eliminating any possibility of a failure to open a manual valve which would prevent proper operation of the device. Likewise the valve 32 preferably is of a self-closing type that must be manually held open, thereby eliminating possible operational failure resulting from an open valve Which would permit liquid to flow to the drain instead of the float chamber.

It will be noted that the present invention provides a relatively simple yet fool-proof structure for filling oil tanks on diesel locomotives and the like at very high liquid velocity without danger of overflowing the tank and consequent spillage. As illustrated in dotted lines and indicated by the numeral 44, the fitting 37 may be provided with a suitable fire screen to eliminate any fire hazard by means of the pipe 36. 7

Having thus described my invention, it will be obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a liquid supply device for filling locomotive fuel tanks and the like having a filler opening extending on a generally horizontal axis, the combination of a Valve including manually actuatable means for opening the same and electrically actuated means for closing the same, the inlet side of said valve being disposed for operative connection to a liquid supply line, a filler conduit operatively connected to the discharge side of said valve and having means at its free end for engagement with the horizontally extending filler fitting of the tank to be filled, a switch structure, supporting means for said valve and switch structure, the switch structure including operating switch contacts associated with an electric circuit including the closing means for said valve, and a vertically movable float chamber operatively positioned in a float chamber formed in said switch structure, said float upon predetermined rise thereof upon the entry of liquid into the chamber being operative to actuate said operating switch contacts to etfect actuation of said valve closing means and closure of said valve, a conduit communicating with said float chamber and constructed for detachable connection at an effective predetermined level to such a tank to be filled, whereby upon liquid in the tank reaching such level liquid may flow to said float chamber, said supporting means formed as a portable unit including ground-engaging wheels to facilitate movement thereof for operatively positioning alongside of the locomotive fuel tank to be operatively connected to the filler opening thereof, and means operatively associated with and controlled by said operating switch contacts for visually indicating when said valve is actuated to a closed position upon the filling of the locomotive fuel tank to which it is operatively connected.

2. In a liquid supply device for filling locomotive fuel tanks and the like having a filler opening extending on a generally horizontal axis, the combination of a valve including manually actuatable means for opening the same and electrically actuated means for closing the same, the inlet of said valve being disposed for operative connection to a liquid supply line, a filler conduit having one end thereof operatively connected to the discharge side of said valve and a free end having means for engagement with the horizontally extending filler fitting of the tank to be filled, a supporting means for said valve, a switch structure, supporting means for said switch structure, the latter including operating switch contacts associated with an electric circuit including the closing means for said valve, and a vertically movable float member operatively positioned in a float chamber formed in said switch structure, said float upon predetermined rise thereof upon entry of a liquid into the chamber being operative to actuate said operating switch contacts to eitect actuation of said valve closing means and closure of said valve, a conduit communicating at one end with said float chamber and constructed for detachable connection with the free end thereof at an eifective predetermined level to such a tank to be filled, whereby upon liquid in the tank reaching such level liquid may flow to said float chamber, a return line adapted for connecting to the liquid supply, said return line comprising means adapted to receive the free ends of said filler and float chamber conduits, said float chamher having an opening in the bottom thereof to which said last-mentioned conduit is operatively connected, a drain fitting including a valve operatively connected to said opening for controlling drainage of said float charm her to said return line, and an overflow line from the upper portion of said float chamber to said return line for returning overflow from said float chamber to said return line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES 1*ATENTS 51,370 Webber et al. Dec. 5, 1865 664,629 Franc et a1. Dec. 25, 1900 923,833 Hardwick June 8, 1909 1,835,027 Edwinson Dec. 8, 1931 2,527,760 Piquerez Oct. 31, 1950 2,661,761 Samarin Dec. 8, 1953 2,828,782 Ripley Apr. 1, 1958 2,869,594 Bisgard et al. Jan. 20, 1959 2,901,008 Cavett et a1 Aug. 25, 1959 

